Rep. Carmine Gentile

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require Medicaid to cover doula services for eligible pregnant and postpartum individuals. It defines doula services as non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support provided during pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and up to one year after birth or pregnancy loss. The coverage includes continuous labor support, home visits, assistance with appointments, and help connecting families to community resources. By adding this specific provision to Chapter 118E of the General Laws, the legislation ensures that state-funded health care plans include these supportive services for qualifying beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special citizens commission to investigate how Massachusetts can transition away from nuclear weapons production toward green technologies that address climate change. The commission will examine the state's current dependence on nuclear weapons-related jobs and investments, then propose financial and legal strategies to shift those resources to climate-focused industries while identifying necessary federal assistance. The eleven-member panel will be appointed by state officials and a coalition of peace and environmental groups, with strict rules ensuring no current employees of nuclear facilities serve on the group.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to specialized, high-performance breast pumps for mothers in Massachusetts who are unable to directly feed their newborns due to medical complications. It requires both the state's employee health insurance program and Medicaid managed care plans to cover the rental of these durable, multi-user pumps for the duration of the infant's hospital stay or until pumping ceases. The legislation also mandates that these pumps be provided within 24 hours of a mother's hospital discharge and includes coverage for essential replacement parts, storage bags, and professional lactation support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state fund called the Racially Inclusive Curriculum Trust Fund to support schools in developing and implementing racially inclusive educational materials. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would manage the fund, which can be financed through state appropriations, interest, and private donations, and the money would not be subject to annual budget cuts. The legislation authorizes the department to use these funds for creating curriculum frameworks, providing professional development training for teachers, and issuing grants to public schools and districts. Additionally, the bill establishes a specific grant program that requires applicants to demonstrate how their proposed curriculum can be replicated across other districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Sudbury to charge a minimum fee of ten cents for checkout bags provided by retail establishments within its limits. It applies to businesses selling goods directly to consumers, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants, while excluding bags used for loose produce, prescription medications, or protecting clothing. The collected fees must remain with the businesses, and the charge must be clearly listed separately on customer receipts. Enforcement of this rule will be handled by the Sudbury Board of Health, which also has the power to create specific regulations for the program. The law will become active three months after it is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents utility companies from passing the costs of building new interstate gas pipelines onto residential and business customers. It achieves this by amending state law to ban the approval of gas purchase contracts that require new infrastructure construction if those costs would be recovered from ratepayers. The legislation directly affects utility providers and the consumers who pay for their services by restricting how they can finance pipeline expansions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require Medicaid coverage for doula services, which provide non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support to individuals during pregnancy, labor, and the year following childbirth or pregnancy loss. The legislation mandates that the state cover continuous labor support and at least six doula visits, including two postpartum visits, without requiring prior authorization, while also ensuring access for eligible individuals regardless of immigration status. Additionally, the bill establishes a Doula Advisory Committee composed of practicing doulas and community members with personal perinatal experiences to oversee the program and ensure diverse representation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires gas and distribution companies in Massachusetts to increase transparency when awarding construction contracts worth $100,000 or more for work on public roads. Under the new rules, companies must notify all bidders of the award decision within two business days and post the winning contractor's name, bid amount, and project location on their website. The law also mandates that written notices to bidders include the specific criteria used for the award and the score the bidder received. Companies may withhold certain information if doing so would harm law enforcement, public interest, or fair competition, and the state department is tasked with enforcing these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a five-year pilot program that offers an alternative path to teacher certification. Instead of requiring all candidates to pass standard state exams, the program would allow individuals to earn preliminary certification based on their teaching experience and student growth scores over four years. The alternative process could also waive one of the two required tests for candidates who have already been certified in another state, shown significant impact on student growth while working outside Massachusetts, or completed a satisfactory portfolio of work. This initiative directly affects aspiring educators by providing a more flexible route to licensure that relies on demonstrated proficiency rather than solely on standardized testing.